If you love TikTok, you’ve probably recognized the new trend of butter boards. Butter boards are boards smeared with softened butter and topped with savory and sweet treats. These boards began popping up on Tiktok last week, after food influencer Justine Doiron, aka @justine_snacks, posted on TikTok introducing the concept.
In the video, she credits Josh McFadden, chef and restauranteur, with the original idea and describes it as “communal”. The viral video has racked up eight million views, and has been met with praise and criticism. “I want to make them the next charcuterie board,” she says in the video. “Not to usurp charcuterie, but maybe, a little bit.”
Her version is topped with lemon zest, salt, edible flowers and a “honey situation,” resulting in a delicious-looking, colorful spread through which she dragged chunks of warm bread.
Others have followed Doiron’s lead, posting images and videos of butter boards topped with figs, rosy radish slices and ripe strawberries. Some include boards with whipped cream cheese topped with berries and jam, with bagels for dipping, and goat cheese with savory crackers.
The concept of flavored butter isn’t new – compound butters have long been a staple for chefs and home cooks alike, used to top meats, fish and vegetables hot off a grill or to spread on a toasty slice of bread.
The butter board appears to have tapped into our love for food artfully displayed on boards, as well as desire to share and entertain. And, the timing is right, as we contemplate fall gatherings.
McFadden said he’s enjoying seeing people experiment with it. “It’s a fun recipe because anyone can do it; it’s really accessible,” he said. “No one is making a butter board just for themselves – I mean, if they are, more power to them,” he continued. “But it’s connecting people, and that’s super cool, especially at a time when the world is so weird.”
All hail the butter board.
